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The sustainable mobility transition in the Netherlands calls for LEVs

02/28/2024 - 13:18

More and more Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs) are making their way into the streets these days. These include e-scooters, e-steps, e-bikes and microcars. These vehicles offer opportunities for more sustainable mobility: they are virtually emission-free and require less (parking) space.
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LEVs are efficient and are perceived as pleasant by users. In the city, but also as pre- and post-transport to and from public transport stops and stations. However, there are also considerable challenges, such as nuisance from shared scooters in cities and safety problems on cycle paths due to increased speed differences. Harnessing the potential of these forms of mobility takes guts. This was evident during the kick-off of the LEVERAGE project: a joint venture between a group of knowledge institutes consisting of Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas), HAN University of Applied Sciences (HAN) and Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE), as well as public partners (such as the City of Eindhoven) and private partners (such as CHECK shared transport).

Yesterday, 18 partners signed the cooperation contract for the LEVERAGE project. The aim of this project is to make the most of the potential of LEVs in making our mobility more sustainable, thereby contributing to the accessibility, liveability and safety of our urban regions. Effective cooperation and knowledge exchange between knowledge partners, public and private partners play an important role in this process, as does LEVERAGE's practice-oriented approach. The research is partly funded by Taskforce for Applied Research SIA, part of the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

The LEVERAGE consortium focuses on four main research areas:

  • The effects of LEVs on car ownership and use. For example: To what extent and for which target groups can LEVs offer an alternative to a first or second car?
  • The integration of LEVs into the existing mobility system. For example, how can LEVs be used to improve travel to and from public transport stops and train stations?
  • The impact of LEVs on road safety and perception. For example: how do LEVs affect cyclist safety and perception and how do we keep our cycle paths safe?
  • The development of new action perspectives and policy for governments and stakeholders. For example, how do we move from current regulation to proactive cooperation between shared mobility providers, transport operators and governments?

At the kick-off of this project at Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas), 50 people gathered to share knowledge about these LEVs. Demos were also given where attendees had the chance to try out the latest LEVs for themselves. 

For more information: www.leverage-research.eu